The Professor Everyone Hopes to Have
UNE Professor Ryan Brod has created an atmosphere where people feel not only supported but heard and inspired to succeed.
By: Mikayla Hill
Professor Brod, a writing professor at the University of New England, is a professor you will never forget. When you walk into his class, he is always there ready to greet you with a smile and energy that radiates onto his students. In his classroom, learning feels much less intimidating than in other classes. The atmosphere is inviting, creating a space where students feel comfortable speaking up and sharing their thoughts and ideas.
“When I took Writing 110 with Professor Brod, he always encouraged us to talk in class and give our opinions on the topic. Since everyone always participated, it made it very easy to jump in and add my ideas,” said Emma Simpson ’29.
From the start, Brod makes a strong effort to learn all his student’s names and bring them into the conversation. He makes sure that everyone feels included in the conversation. He makes sure the class is always working at a pace that works for all the students. Rather than criticizing students for mistakes, he uses those mistakes as an opportunity to guide them.
“I try to incorporate everyone. One of my goals before every class is I try to get everyone in the classroom to talk and feel comfortable,” Brod said.
He makes sure that all his students are equally at the advantage of writing something they are passionate about. “I have students of all different backgrounds, so I don’t teach a particular thing. I try to allow each person to walk in the room and find something they are struggling with or need to work on and use that to express themselves,” he said.
What stands out most to students is his patience. No question is ever ignored in his classroom. Brod takes the time to explain concepts in ways that help everyone understand, even if it means going overmaterial multiple times.
“I think writing is a very slow process, and I hope students walk away with this idea that we need to take time with things we care about,” he said.
This extends beyond just writing in class. Brod believes that building personal connections with students plays a big role in the success of his students.
“I think when you feel a personal connection, it’s easier to learn because you recognize this person sees me as a human being and not just a person in a chair,” he said.
His impact is especially meaningful for students who may not initially see themselves as strong writers. Brod helps students realize their potential in writing that they might not have seen before.
“It feels like an accomplishment to me to have students who do not identify as writers,” Brod said. “And it’s usually those students who become some of the strongest writers I have.”
His support for his students continues even outside of the classroom. Brod is approachable and always willing to help, even when students are dealing with challenges that have nothing to do with the class or the material. His presence goes beyond lectures, making him very active on campus.
“One of my favorite parts of the day is seeing people I used to teach and having a conversation with them for five minutes,” he said. “I think it’s making yourself visible and being a part of the community and not walling myself off in the office.”
For Brod, being a professor goes beyond lecturing material. It’s about understanding the individuals in the room and meeting them where they are.
“I think being a good professor is having a kind of awareness of who’s in the room and taking each individual into account as opposed to just teaching something to the whole,” he said.
Students recognize this level of care very quickly, and his ability to connect with individuals leaves a long-lasting impression that stays with students even outside of the classroom.
“One thing students can remember about him is how caring he is and how he makes an effort to let each student know that he is interested in what they have to say, not just in the classroom, but outside life too,” said Liza Zenk, an education and mental health rehabilitation major ’26.
For many students, Professor Brod is more than just a professor. He is someone who genuinely wants to see his students succeed both academically and personally. Teaching is not just a job for him, but it is something he truly values and enjoys every day.
“It’s the first job I’ve had that I really love and the first job where I am excited about it every day,” Brod said.
Brod has created a classroom environment that many hope to experience. A classroom that feels open and approachable. A classroom where no one is looked at differently for having a different opinion. Everyone can express themselves and feel connections not only with their peers but their professor. Brod has been a very loved professor here for going on 7 years and has many more to come.
